Feature Article

Born to Play the Music: Elnatan Yosua.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” (Hans Christian Andersen)

Since Elnatan was a kid, he born to play music. His name is Elnatan Yosua, usually people call him Ochu. He was born in Malang, August 29, 1995. When his parents studied at University, and his brother went to school, his parents trust him to a music studio. From there, Ochu learned to play drum.

The first melodic instrument that he played was a guitar.  Ochu learned it at church from the 4th-grade elementary school, without knowing that his father could play guitar. He said, “Mostly, I learned music by myself autodidact, without any direction from my parents and music course.”

Although his parents very happy to support his talent, Ochu also found many challenges in learning and practicing the instruments. His father only gives him feedback without providing him an example of how to play the instruments. Another melodic instrument that he can play is Bass, he learned the basic of bass from guitar. He also learns to play violin.

In 2013, Ochu graduated from Senior High School. He later took a part-time job to join a course in Balawan Music Centre. From the music center, Ochu learned how to play bass better.

“From my childhood, I learned everything about music by myself. I observed my friends playing instruments and asked them how to play them. I’m still learning that way. Learning through songs and videos also helps me to learn the basic of some musical instruments” said Ochu

In 2015, Ochu chose Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana to learn more about music in Faculty of Performing Arts but now it known as Faculty of Language and Arts. In his first year, his skill did not develop much. Then, in the 2nd year, his skill in playing bass got better. Because of his skills are improved, his friends and seniors start to pay attention to his skill when playing the bass. One of his senior in his faculty named Aditya Ch. Sapan asked him to join his band named Luminosa. Then, Ochu performed in 3 events as an additional player especially as a bassist. 

Since he joined Luminosa, many of his senior who holds a recital for their graduation asked him to be additional player on their recital as the bassist player, and it is the beginning of his session player career. He also met Yesa one of his senior on that recital and asked him to join Sekawan and friends and performing in many wedding event. After his career with Sekawan and friends, he was asked by two of his senior to be session player as a bassist in his senior’s band and performing in many events. His memorable moment when working as a session player was when Ochu worked for a Jazz festival in Semarang for Citra Scholastika.

Not only as a session player, Ochu also a creator of 2 bands named Coming Soon Project and D’Boarnergers. He also the promoter of his own big project called “Elnatan Yosua Project”.

His wish near this time Elnatan Yosua Project can perform in a Tembakau Jazz Festival with an artist that soon to be announced, who will perform there too. Also for his recital soon, he will make a music composition that will be played soon with Elnatan Yosua Project.

He found a lot of challenges that he faced in his journey in the instruments, but it doesn't stop him to go forward. By having a lot of community it makes him succeed in his passion.  Not just community but a lot of friends and parents also support him in music. “Music is a 'language' that all people can receive so that music is the best way to unite” said Ochu.